Police in Nottingham are urging people to be vigilant after a street thief was caught on CCTV using a bizarre dance to distract a victim before stealing his mobile phone.

Officers believe the pickpocket pretended to be drunk in order to trick the victim into thinking he was simply in a cheerful mood.

Footage shows the thief approach a man in Clumber Street shortly after 7.30am on Sunday, November 16.

After greeting the man with a fist bump and engaging him in conversation, he performs a bizarre dance where he places one of his legs between the victim’s leg and jumps up and down.

The matter was reported to Nottinghamshire Police and they are now asking for the public’s help in identifying a man they would like to trace.

Inspector Paul Gummer, of the City Centre neighbourhood policing team, said: “Officers were able to trace the offender’s prior movement to a McDonalds.

“We therefore examined CCTV from the nearby branch and were able to obtain a clear image of the person responsible for this distraction theft. If you know who he is, please get in touch with us.

“He does not appear to be intoxicated on the McDonald’s CCTV just minutes before the theft but gave that impression when he was with the victim. We therefore believe he pretended to be intoxicated as part of a ploy to trick the victim into thinking he posed no threat and was being jovial.

“Distraction thefts of this nature have happened in the past – not just in Nottingham but across the country and it is common for the offender to claim the strange dance is a traditional cultural dance from their country.

“To be clear – it is absolutely not a cultural dance – it’s a cynical attempt to distract attention away from the victim’s pockets, where the pick pocketing is happening.

“I would therefore encourage the public to be vigilant against this brazen crime, avoid it happening to you and watch out for it happening to anyone else, particularly those who may be ‘slightly too merry’ to recognise what’s happening to them during this festive period.”

Anyone who recognises the man officers are seeking to trace in connection with the incident are asked to call 101 quoting crime number 25000672372.